GOD HAS BLESSED AMERICA

Monday, May 12, 2008

Contrary to what Jeremiah Wright may think—God has blessed America and I believe He will continue to do so until we move so far from Him that there just isn’t any hope. I don’t think we are there yet.

Yesterday morning my wife, daughter and I sat with about two thousand other worshippers praising God and listening to His Word preached. I thought to myself that all across America, in churches large and small, God is being worshipped.

A ninety-nine year old woman played “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art” on the piano and everybody came to their feet and gave her an extended standing ovation.

Yesterday was the Lord’s Day and in America it was also Mothers’ Day. Mothers—one of God’s greatest blessings to mankind, were being honored all across this great country.

God bless America. I love this great country!

MY MOTHER'S HANDS

Sunday, May 11, 2008

This world has many wonders,
God’s many vistas grand;
But none can ever rival
The beauty of Mother’s hands.
Wilma Heffelfinger

A mother was visiting her daughter and asked her to go shopping with her. The daughter didn’t normally like to go shopping with other people and was not a very patient person. But since it was her mother she set off for the mall. They visited many stores and her mother tried on dress after dress, rejecting them all. As the day wore on the daughter grew weary and frustrated.

Finally, at their last stop the mother tried on a lovely blue three-piece dress. The daughter watched as her mother tried with great difficulty to tie the bow. Her hands were so badly crippled from arthritis that she couldn’t do it. Immediately, the daughter’s impatience gave way to and overwhelming wave of compassion for her mother. She tied the bow for her mother and they bought the dress.

For the rest of the day the daughter had in her mind the vision of her mother’s hands trying to tie the bow. She said, “Those loving hands that had fed me, bathed me, dressed me, caressed and comforted me, and most of all, prayed for me, were now touching me in a most remarkable manner.”

THE GIFT OF CARING

Saturday, May 10, 2008

I like this story by Arthur Gordon:

Not long ago I attended a memorial service for a well-known business leader. In a subdued atmosphere of mourning, various friends paid tribute to him. Near the end, a young black man arose. The other speakers had been assured and eloquent, but this one, under great emotional stress, could barely speak at all. A deep hush fell as he struggled for words.

Finally, with tears streaming down his face, he told the gathering that when he was just an office boy, the industrialist had noticed him, helped him, encouraged him, paid for his education. “For a long time,” the young man said, “I was no good to him or anyone else. I just failed and kept on failing. But he never gave up on me—and he never let me give up on myself.”

ON THE CORNER BY THE SCHOOL

Friday, May 09, 2008

My “first” library was on the corner by my “first” elementary school. I loved that library!

I passed it everyday on the way to and from school. I stopped in often to look over books and check out a few. It was in that building that I learned you are supposed to be quite while visiting the library. As a child I respected this rule with reverence. I broke this rule quite often in high school and college but I have returned to it in my old age and now noise in a library really annoys me.

I have enjoyed the library in every city I have ever lived in. It makes me sad that they are closing the one I visit most often. I think this is happening because more people are now buying books of their own. At least I hope this is true and not they we are reading less.

“Book love, my friend, is your pass to the greatest, the purest, and the most perfect pleasure.” Anthony trollope

KEEPING BLOGGING INTERESTING

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Margaret Mason has written a book about how to keep blogging interesting. She says, “No one cares what you had for lunch.” Oh yeah? Sorry Margaret, I’m afraid you’re wrong.

I care! You may tell me I need to “get a life” and I probably do—but I am always interested in what people are eating and where. My wife is friends with dozens of bloggers. One of the few I read on a regular basis is justabeachkat. Kat writes quite often about where she, her husband and friends eat and what they eat. On a trip to the Palm Springs area she gave a daily report which I found very interesting.

There is always interest in my blog when I write about food and restaurants.

What can I tell you Margaret? Maybe if you were old and retired you would get excited knowing I am over at In-N-Out Burger having lunch.

BLOGGING CAN BE GOOD FOR YOU

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Is blogging good for you? Honestly I don't know, but I think it is. My wife has finally started blogging and she smiles a lot.

I have recommended blogging to a few people, including my wife, but none of them started blogging because of me. In fact, only three of them have started at all and they didn't start because I recommended it--not even my wife.

Maybe you would start blogging if you really thought it was good for you. Don't listen to me, nobody does. Read the article found here and see what you think http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/personal/05/07/blog.therapy/index.html